Liverpool slipped to a 1-0 defeat to Real Madrid on Tuesday, but a much-changed Reds outfit did not disgrace themselves at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Reds boss Brendan Rodgers made a raft of changes, which many felt would lead to a Champions League mauling at the hands of Real.
That mauling did not materialise, as Liverpool worked their socks off to keep Real honest and were only undone by a solitary goal from Karim Benzema.
The early signs were ominous for Liverpool, as a slick Real passing move crafted space for James Rodriguez just four minutes into the match. He struck his shot well from the edge of the box, but Simon Mignolet flung himself to his left to claw the ball away.
Real, though, struggled to assert themselves on the game, with the defending champions unusually sloppy with their passing.
A weakened (on paper, at least) Liverpool side could not afford to gift chances to Real. That’s what happened on 10 minutes as Martin Skrtel lost the ball to Benzema on the edge of his own box.
The ball was squeezed back to Ronaldo, but Mignolet was the equal of the World Footballer of the Year’s effort.
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Liverpool forays forward were few and far between, but Real were indebted to the pace of Raphael Varane on 17 minutes. The Reds broke forward and Lazar Markovic dashed towards the Madrid box, but Varane turned on the afterburners to snuff out the danger.
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Benzema was the thorn in the side of Liverpool at Anfield, scoring twice, and he added another to his tally with the opener on 27 minutes.
A fizzing, curling, low cross from Marcelo was perfectly placed between the retreating Liverpool defence and Mignolet, inviting Benzema to finish.
The Frenchman needed no second invitation as he slid in to fire the ball into the roof of the net from four yards.
Ronaldo continued to pepper Mignolet’s goal, but the ‘keeper once again denied the Portuguese. Ronaldo stepped up to strike a free-kick from 35 yards. The ball went through the wall and swerved wickedly, but Mignolet was able to push the shot away.
Selecting a weakened side in Europe's premier competition, especially against Real Madrid, is unbefitting of a club of Liverpool's stature.
It was a night of frustration for Ronaldo, and at the start of the second half, he scuffed a free-kick into the wall and then hit a shot from 20 yards straight at Mignolet.
Real Madrid 1-0 Liverpool FT: Shots: 27-4 Chances created: 21-3 Pass accuracy: 91%-87% Crosses: 23-8 http://t.co/4GCHA9vJqY
Liverpool did not register a shot in the opening half. That changed shortly before the hour as a sharp turn from Adam Lallana fashioned enough space to get an effort away, but the ball flew narrowly wide of Iker Casillas’ goal.
Benzema profited from a Marcelo cross in the first half. There was almost a carbon copy on 68 minutes, but the striker was unable to direct another fizzing cross on target.
Both sides turned to pace as the second half wore on, with Real introducing Gareth Bale and Liverpool turning to Raheem Sterling.
13 – Real Madrid had 13 shot attempts in the first half (6 on target), compared to 0 from Liverpool. Gap. http://t.co/rKFEUVP3pv
Bale was the first to show his quality, with a snap shot that crashed against the crossbar with Mignolet beaten, and the Liverpool ‘keeper later repelled a swerving free-kick of his.
Real did not produce the expected glut of goals, but the three points were enough to secure their passage into the knockout stages.
Top spot in Group B is not yet confirmed, but that will be secured with a point in either of their final two games—against Basel and Ludogorets.
Rodgers’ team selection, with Steven Gerrard, Philippe Coutinho, Jordan Henderson, Mario Balotelli and Sterling all left on the bench, suggested the manager had a firm eye on Saturday’s Premier League game with Chelsea—a decision that was met with widespread consternation.
Raphael Varane has the potential to become one of the great centre-backs.
But Rodgers will be judged on the result against the Blues. Given the form Chelsea are in, the Liverpool boss could face some severe questions come Saturday evening, but his team on the night in Madrid did not let him down.
Grades
Simon Mignolet: B+
The ‘keeper has been under pressure this season, but he came good against Real with a number of excellent saves.
Alberto Moreno: B+
The full-back is another Liverpool player to have come in for criticism this season. On the biggest stage, he stood tall. He was tigerish in defence and carried a threat in the Madrid third.
Karim Benzema: B
Real Madrid 1-0 Liverpool FT: Shots: 27-4 Chances created: 21-3 Pass accuracy: 91%-87% Crosses: 23-8 http://t.co/4GCHA9vJqY
The Champions League is Benzema’s friend this season, and he made it four consecutive games in which he has scored with his opener on the night.
Cristiano Ronaldo: D
A rare off night for the best player on the planet. His shooting was below its usual standard, his touch on occasions was not great, and time and again he ran into a wall of Liverpool players.
Reaction
Raphael Varane has the potential to become one of the great centre-backs.
13 – Real Madrid had 13 shot attempts in the first half (6 on target), compared to 0 from Liverpool. Gap. http://t.co/rKFEUVP3pv
